In preparation for a war, a US soldiers is known to train year-round. Several times a year, they can expect to be doing a multi-week training exercise. In some cases, this happens every three to four months, with one of those months being in the field doing nothing but preparing for the possibility of a war.
As children of God, we understand that according to God’s word, we are constantly warring “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12),” and we, too, need to be in continuous training. Since we don’t fight a physical war, we need to be spiritually prepared grounding ourselves in prayer. Praying God’s words back to Him, is a powerful weapon against the forces of evil in this war we are in.
A soldier’s training might be directly combat related, or it might be as simple as making sure that they can pack up and get somewhere on short notice. When we war in the spirit, we always want to be combat ready. The enemy has a clear assignment to kill, steal and destroy our destiny within this earth. We can’t expect to fight and win against a seasoned enemy and army with a nonexistent or fly by night prayer life.
The word says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5: 8-9 (NKJV)”
Someone once said that the enemy's attacks are always wrapped in the packaging of deception, always designed to manipulate the truth about God, and about your value in Him. He desires to lead you into sin so that fellowship is broken between you and God—this way you'll be disconnected from the Source of true power and strength. I used to be so wrapped up in what my prayers sounded like, the true issues of my hearts remained a burden. True fellowship with God means being honest with God in your prayers so that his strength is made perfect in your weakness. I know that when I pray—release it into His hands—God accomplishes what I can't do in my own strength.
The simplest, “Lord, I need your help…” and speaking God’s Word over your circumstance can save your life when it’s heartfelt. The weapons for this war we are in are at our disposal. They are strong enough to demolish strongholds and I, for one, am tired of not taking up arms more consistently and intentionally.
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm, (Ephesians 6:13)” one of the most important pieces to God’s armor is prayer. Just as a soldier does not war without weapon training, neither should we. Enter into basic training with me and let’s prepare to put on God’s TOTAL armor…this is WAR.
Moe Grant
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Ever heard the saying, “When a woman is done, there is nothing you can do to change her mind”? We may put up with heart ache, being mistreated, and being embarrassed in the name of “love”, but when we’re fed up…that’s it. The issue is, sometimes it takes us YEARS to reach the “fed up” point. We wait until we’ve compromised our standards and ignored wise counsel to finally decide to walk away, wounded and scarred. Why? Maybe because we want to be able to say that we did all we could to salvage the relationship/job/friendship.
Here’s the thing: THAT’S NOT NECESSARY with God! No one told you to wait until you’ve been through hell to turn to Him. We will endure job loss, heart ache, the death of a loved one, failed relationships, grieving a friendship, 2 years with Mr. Wrong, and an eviction notice before we ever get fed up enough to FIGHT BACK.
How do we fight back?
2 Corinthians 10:3-5,
We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
If we’re not careful, we’ll find ourselves building a wall of defense around our heart after every blow to our ego in an attempt to guard our heart. We’ll say things like, “I’m not going to open up to anyone else so I can’t get hurt.” The issue with this is, (1) It’s impossible to avoid pain and (2) We cannot selectively numb. If we feel joy, we must also feel pain.
When you are truly tired enough of the cycle of dysfunction and/or feelings of helplessness, you’ll declare war. Not against another human, because our battles are not with flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), but against the kingdom of darkness. Get fed up and command your life, beautiful!
Where to start?
But God, I’m hurting.
Psalm 18:30
Ephesians 5:17
Psalm 94:19
Psalm 91:2
My faith isn’t strong enough.
Romans 10:17
Hebrews 12:2
2 Chronicles 20:20
I’ll always be alone.
Psalm 37:4
Isaiah 41:10
I’m overwhelmed.
Philippians 4:6-7
2 Timothy 1:7
Psalm 94:19
Isaiah 43:1
Matthew 6:34
Psalm 55:22
I’m not doing enough.
Colossians 3:23
Ephesians 5:15-17
2 Peter 3:8
I’d like to pray for you.
Lord, I thank you for my sister who is reading this. I thank you for being a shield of protection around her. I thank you for granting her the wisdom to guard her heart. I thank you that she will find comfort in You and Your presence. I thank you that she will submit every worry to You, for Your power is made perfect in our weakness. Lord I ask that you would equip my sister for warfare. Give her the confidence to slay the enemy, because You have already given us authority over him. She will not give power to anything or anyone that is unlike You in her life. I thank you that she is reminded of her worth, for you have called her Yours. I thank you that she will make You priority. I thank you that she will learn Your heart, Your ways, Your desires for her. I thank you that she will find peace in submission to you, for you are greatest when we are the least. In your Son Jesus name, Amen.
"Keep in mind, faith is not the belief that things will work out the way that we want them to, but that God will keep us no matter how things turn out.” - Brittney A. Moses
Brianna R.